Ignorance, Prejudice, Hate, Suppression

I read, and contemplate what it means to have--     
Ignorance, Prejudice, Hate, Suppression

Reading more of Kim Richardson's Liar's Bench...a book set in Kentucky that takes me back in time; a story that my California roots only allowed me to read about until the riots in Watts, California hit the flame and the fan, something I couldn’t understand---but when I witnessed  prejudice while traveling in the early 60s through the south...two drinking fountains with signs...one for negroes, one for whites, and one filthy bathroom, only for whites; I was nineteen, and I remember the anger I felt in my gut, and the ache I felt in my heart for the wrong done to people who never wanted to come to America to begin with.  

Kim Michele Richardson’s "Liar's Bench" and "GodPretty in The Tobacco Field", both have a white girl with a black boy as close friends...this is the settings where the hate filled mouths flap and spew, and my remembrance filters through with renewed anger.

Two white friends on FB wrote, "I wish we had the good old days back", a counter in reference to all the upheaval that is going on in the world today. I responded with, "That was a dream world". I know the time period they were referring to...That world was a white world, where ignorance to prejudice was ignored or overlooked...it’s not happening to me, so why should I care.... The thinking was...suppression is just a way of life. I also saw a meme on FB this week...it asked for hands of those who want change...every hand in the picture rose high...then it asked for hands of those who were willing to change....no hands were raised.

I watched the news this week, showing the poverty and destitution of the people in Venezuela, where crime is running rampant.  Countries and their ideals are changing, and when no jobs bring in no money to finance everyday existence, and law and order is not there....change isn’t orderly, revolts take time to simmer, and in the meantime people start to hate and are unwilling to wait...thievery explodes, and crimes where the police are now part of the problem...a perfect setting for corruption to ripen.

Change happens, and the only way to prevent a full blown revolt is to be aware of how your government is operating...don’t be ignorant...is your government voting for you, or against you?...are corporations taking in the money while their employees are living on starvation wages?  Most corporations are only interested in their profits,not their employees...and buying out politicians.  When this doesn’t change, we will all, eventually, whatever your color, become slaves to the greedy.